People in Reading are being asked whether or not they want cycling to be allowed along the length of Broad Street.

An informal online consultation came down in favour of cycling in Reading's busy pedestrianised shopping street.

Cycling is currently allowed at one end of Broad Street but not the other.

The public consultation is based on a proposal to allow cycling along the length of the street and the public is asked whether they agree or not.

The consultation, which this time is statutory, will run until Thursday, March 10.

People can have their say by going to www.reading.gov.uk/cyclingconsultation, by emailing highway.objections@reading.gov.uk or writing to C J Brooks, Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU.

Respondents are also being asked to provide their name, address and postcode.

This is to avoid multiple responses and ensure the consultation results are as accurate as possible.

What do you think of the plan to allow cycling along the length of Broad Street? Comment below

Cycling is currently banned in Broad Street west - between St Mary’s Butts and Queen Victoria Street - following pedestrianisation in the 1990s.

When the remainder of Broad Street east was pedestrianised in 2000, the existing cycle links at the eastern end, via Cross Street and Queen Victoria Street, were retained.

This has led, according to the council, to inconsistent and barely enforceable cycling regulations in the busy town centre street.

Councillor Tony Page, Reading Borough Council lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: “There were 1,283 responses to the informal consultation the council held through November and December last year, which illustrates the level of public interest on this issue.

“A clear majority of respondents to that consultation favoured allowing cycling along the length of Broad Street.

“To implement such a change requires an amendment to the existing Traffic Regulation Order, which is why the statutory consultation process is now necessary.

Three-week window

“There is now a three-week window for people to respond to the statutory consultation, with a closing date of Thursday, March 10.

“I would urge anyone who has an opinion on the issue of cycling in Broad Street to take this final opportunity to feed into the decision-making process.”

As well as statutory notices, larger boards advertising the consultation process will be placed along Broad Street.

The results of the statutory consultation will be reported to the traffic management committee on March 10.

Of the 1,283 responses in the informal consultation, 796 or 62 per cent were in favour of allowing cycling the entire length of the street, 448 or 35 per cent did not want cycling in Broad Street at all and 39 three per cent opted for no change to the current arrangements.